Tag: family fun

Elfie’s Return: Adventures of 2021

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I am writing this on December 23rd, Elfie’s last evening with us. My children are at ages this year where they are incredibly excited about Christmas, and all of the activities and traditions. Their excitement makes the season truly magical. As excited as they are for Christmas morning, there’s one thing that’s making them hesitant to count down the days: the fact that Elfie will leave us after we go to sleep on December 24th.

We’ve had a wonderful month with Elfie! With everything going on in the world these days, she arrived masked, and kept her mask on for a few days. Over the past month we’ve discovered her climbing walls, reading with friends, hang gliding, and much more. Here are some of Elfie’s highlights from this year!

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Painting Rocks

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I’ve recently fallen in love with a new hobby: painting rocks. It’s something I can work on together with the kids … or I can do by myself after the kids have gone to bed. Both girls are very creative, and love to do crafts and art projects. Not only does painting rocks give us a fun and creative way to pass the time when it rains, it also gives us a great excuse to get outside when the sun returns. All thanks to the Sooke to Sidney Rock Hunt!

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Elfie 2020: Her first week back

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Elfie is back, and our children couldn’t be happier! The girls even lost sleep the night before Elfie arrived – see Elfie’s Return: Bringing Joy to the family (and maybe just a few tears!) for more on this!

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Elfie’s Return: Bringing Joy to the family (and maybe just a few tears!)

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Our eldest daughter started asking about Elfie’s arrival in early November. By mid-November, we had counted the days until Elfie’s arrival so many times that we decided to make a countdown calendar – for Elfie’s arrival and Christmas day!

Last night, the night of November 30th, our eldest was awake until 11:45pm. She could not stop thinking about Elfie’s return, and even came running out of her room once when she swore she heard Elfie on the roof, and later when thought she saw Elfie’s shadow move across the room!

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Bumblebee Cottage: Creating a beautiful playhouse for the kids

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A few months ago, we began the process of flipping a small house. Or well, that’s what it feels like! In reality our family purchased a playhouse and we have been updating and customizing it to create a cottage for the cousins (our children and our niece).

Especially since COVID, we have been looking for fun things that the kids can do at home. My Mom and I had been on the lookout for a few months, when one day I came across a playhouse for sale online. The family it belonged to had outgrown it and they were looking to sell the playhouse and put a hot tub in its place!

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Monsters in the Making: A fun kids craft

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My parents gave our daughter a craft book for Christmas last year: Art Sparks by Marion Abrams, Hilary Emerson. My daughter and I both love this book. It contains 53 projects, many of which you can do with supplies that you already have at home.

Our most recent project? Making Monsters!!!

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Turning 7 during isolation: Making our daughter’s birthday special

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Like many children, our eldest daughter recently celebrated her birthday during self-isolation. I was determined to make sure that she had a memorable birthday – despite the fact that she couldn’t have the birthday party she had been dreaming of (and talking about!) for months.

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Birthday Gift Ideas for a 7-year old

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I can’t even believe I’m writing this, but our eldest daughter will be 7 soon. 7!! How did that even happen?! She’s at the age where she has a few items on her birthday wish list that she would be ecstatic to receive. The other suggestions are mine.

If you happen to be shopping for a gift for a 7-year old sometime in the future, here are some things I know would be a hit with my girl! And who am I kidding, this list is for future me as well. One day I’ll be looking for a gift for a 7-year old and I’ll have no idea what a 7-year old enjoys anymore!! Hopefully this list can help us both.

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